Lace Renfrew

I loved my last Renfrew so much that I decided to whip up another! I had this knit fabric that I thrifted and it was a perfect match to some leftover lace I had from this skirt. So I thought...why not team them up for a pretty and comfy Renfrew. Instead of grading it in at the waist like I had planned, I left it a little bit big to accommodate the woven lace. I did add one inch to the overall length which I feel is a better fit for my longer torso. My only disappointment with this top is the bands on the sleeves...they are a bit wavy...I guess I  stretched them too much when I sewed them on.

With a certain age comes a new accessory...reading glasses! To say that Husband LOVES them is an understatement.

Top:self-made Jacket: Forever 21 Jeans:Puzzle(thrifted) Boots:Denver Hayes
Necklace: Ardenes  Glasses: Dolce & Gabbana

Classic

While packing to go away on our vacation, I pulled this dress out of the back of my closet. I thought that a resort vacation would be the perfect setting to wear this dress again. After almost 21 years that is. Yes, you read that right. I have had this dress for a very long time. I did not make it myself unfortunately because at the time I had to study for exams. Hehe... So without further ado...here it is worn for the first time....

My prom dress from 1992! Check out that blonde hair! And my date...HOT stuff that guy. 

It's hard to tell from the picture but the dress was floor length. I shortened it and took it in through the bodice. I still love it as much now as I did then. It is a classic style that has stood the test of time and trends. My advice to any girl buying or making a dress for a special occasion is to choose something simple and classic. And a black simple tux! Nothing beats a black tux!

Oh by the way...if you were wondering what ever happened to that hot date of mine...a month after that pic was taken, I walked down the isle with him!

My First Renfrew

Sounds like the title of a children's book, doesn't it? I am probably the very last sewing blogger to make this pattern.... I don't know what took me so long. I'll be honest...as I was making this pattern I thought that it was way too much work for a t-shirt. Once I tried it on for the first time, I realized that it isn't just a regular t-shirt, it's a well made and designed top. With a couple of tweaks it will become a TNT pattern that will reside on the top of my pattern stash.

My Review: 

Pattern:  Sewaholic Renfrew

Fabric used: A cotton knit. 

Instructions: The instructions were the best! Very clear and all notches matched up perfectly. I am always grateful for matching notches!

Changes I made: I didn't make any changes to my first attempt. The only changes I would make for next time would be to lengthen the bodice by an inch and perhaps grade it in one size at the waist. 

Repeat worthy? Yes! You better believe it! I have seen too many great versions of this not to. I have a lovely sweater knit that would be great for the cowl neck version.

Top: self-made Jeans: Winners Blazer: Dalia Shoes: Franco Sarto
Necklace: gift Sunnies: Joe Fresh

Sewing Organization (Part 2)

Well, I'm back again...this time I didn't just take a break from blogging but I actually took a vacation to a lovely beach.The warm sunshine and salty ocean was wonderful after what continues to be a cold Canadian winter and it feels great to be refreshed. I have enjoyed catching up on all my favorite blogs and adding new patterns to my pattern stash on pinterest..

I've  hesitated to share part two of this series with you...I feel kinda embarrassed..... so bare with me just a sec while I talk to husband...
Psst...Handsome, there is nothing to see here. NOOOOOTHING. Boring old sewing stuff that you wouldn't be the least bit interested in. I'm pretty sure that you should go check out something else like this or how about this! Yes yes! Go on check out all the pretty Jeeps!

 Okay... so he is not easily fooled but maybe a little humor will ease the blow of  what he reads in this post, Part 2 of Sewing Organization.  Not that he really cares as much as I am embarrassed.

Organizing the stash. Ugh. My stash is embarrassingly big. Twenty years...or more... of doing this sewing thing as a hobby and always on the prowl for pretty fabric but not always having the time  to sew up said fabric means that the stash has grown to unmanageable proportions.  Due to a small sewing space, I tend to store my stash in totes and often forget what and how much of it I have.

I recently decided that I would take stock of the stash and sort of catalogue it. I found these index cards that came already on a ring and knew that they would be perfect for this little project. Each card has a small swatch of the fabric with any content information and how much of it I have. I love this set up!

I love that I can browse through my fabrics and not have to go digging through totes to determine if I have enough of something for a particular pattern. I also have to pay more attention to content of a fabric when I purchase it so I can record that as well. I am learning more about fabric content because of this.
The goal now is to continue to catalogue everything as it comes in and more importantly....
use what I already have!!!! I'm working on it, really I am.

How do you organize your precious fabrics?